trochanter

trochanter1. The second joint of the leg of an insect, which articulates with the coxa proximally and with the femur distally. The trochanter is a small segment and can usually move in only one plane (due to the nature of its articulation with the coxa). Odonata and Hymenoptera have two trochanters, but the distal one appears to be derived from the femur. See also TROCHANTELLUS.

2. A prominence on a tetrapod femur; in mammals there are at least two (greater and lesser) and often a third (third trochanter). They are sites for muscle attachment.

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